Yes, it will be
extremely interesting. Talk about the pairing of two ultra-icons!! A double-whammy!
Harley possibly benefits by increased traffic through their showrooms of a very different rider. Those seeking performance sportbikes - Triumph Speed Triples, Daytona's, Street triples, etc. - will also be exposed to the big tourers and cruisers. That said, The Triumph guys have already seen the Rocket III, Speedmaster, America and Thunderbird, so maybe it's nothing new.
On the other hand, Harley devotees will be exposed to racey sportbikes... but hasn't that already occured with the Buell? They will also be shown the Thunderbird, the bike Harley always wanted to produce, but never had the background or technology to do so. I suspect T-Bird Sales will climb.
Same goes I guess for Sportster Vs. Bonneville, Thruxton Vs. CR1200, etc. So we may have ship-jumpers from both schools.
In the end, at least the Triumph's are selling well, so there lies perhaps the only benefit to the individual Dealers who may choose to go this route.
Another benefit might be that I've noted that there are many Triumph owners who display every symptom of "wanting" to be a Harley stereo-type. You know, the "tough, bad-ass" hanky-headed wannabee's who more than likely just couldn't afford a Harley. Well, now 's their chance!!
(And good luck!!). A "win / win"!. Triumph "guys" from "back 'n the day" were never like that, and were a very individual, very enthusiast oriented breed.
It's always best to leave the attitude and "trying too hard" personality at home!
I'll say this... the Harley Davidson Booth at The Cycle World show in Chicago was absolutely mobbed. Much more so than any other booth. That said, Chicago IS a HD kinda town, and is in close proximity to Milwaukee as well. The flat, straight roads around the Chicagoland area certainly do not offer any challenging rides, nor rider skill. As you meander westward, and slightly northward about 200 miles, things change, and so do the bikes preferred. I would expect the Sportbike booths were mobbed in LA or Denver, Minneapolis, etc., where mountainous terrain exists.
In the end, sincere best luck to Harley. We poke jibes at the "Lifestyle" stuff, but it's all in good fun, and we all ride so we need to stick together. It would be an absolute shame to see the Motor Company purchased by some Chinese Investment Group, and slowly but painfully dissolved.
Ride Safe!
Bob
Harley and Triumph?
